New Zealand Court Orders Compensation for White Island Volcano Victims

Tour operators and island owner to pay NZ$10 million for 2019 eruption that killed 22 and injured many.

A New Zealand court has ordered tour operators and the island's owner to pay NZ$10 million in compensation to victims of the 2019 White Island volcano eruption.
The eruption killed 22 people and left many survivors with severe burns and emotional trauma.
Tour operators and Whakaari Management Ltd were found guilty of negligence and safety breaches, failing to properly assess and communicate the risks of visiting the active volcano.
The compensation is described as a token recognition of the victims' suffering, with the court acknowledging the deep emotional and physical harm endured.
Tourism activities on White Island have not resumed since the eruption, highlighting the ongoing impact of the disaster.